MLB Player News

Morris was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

Morris was called up to the majors Saturday but did not make an appearance. He'll head back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he's allowed six earned runs and maintained a 9:6 K:BB across eight innings early on in the campaign.

Clevinger allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out three across 3.1 innings Thursday with Triple-A Charlotte, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Clevinger is ramping up his workload after signing with the White Sox a few days after the season began. He threw 60 pitches in his appearance Thursday and will increase his workload to 75 pitches in his next outing, which will also come with Charlotte. Assuming all goes well, Clevinger's third appearance of the campaign will come in the majors -- setting him up to debut around May 5.

Refsnyder went 2-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Guardians.

Refsnyder is raking during a five-game hit streak, going 9-for-20 with extra-base hits in all five contests. The plan was for him to play mostly against left-handers, but injuries to key players have led to four of his five starts coming versus righties, against whom he's 7-for-16 with five extra-base hits.

Devers went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Thursday's 6-4 loss to Cleveland.

Devers produced a second consecutive three-hit effort after missing five games with a knee injury. He's gone 6-for-9 with a double, home run, two RBI and two runs scored in his two games back. The downtime appears to have given the balky shoulder he was dealing with during Boston's homestand last week time to heal, but Devers has yet to resume playing third base. According to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, manager Alex Cora said prior to Thursday's game that Devers is likely to remain the Red Sox's designated hitter through Friday before potentially returning to action at third base Saturday versus the Cubs.

Sborz threw a scoreless ninth inning in Thursday's 4-3 loss to Seattle.

Sborz, who was activated off the injured list Thursday, retired the side in order, needing just nine pitches. He was placed on the IL due to a shoulder injury April 7 after just three appearances. The back end of the bullpen has changed since then -- Kirby Yates replaced Jose Leclerc as the closer -- but Sborz should remain part of the setup group.

Smith started at shortstop and went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 4-3 loss to Seattle.

Smith launched his first homer of the season in the fourth inning, which tied the game momentarily before the Mariners plated two a half-inning later. He got the start at shortstop while primary starter Corey Seager served as DH a day after he left a game with a bruised shin. If Seager is limited to DH for a bit, Smith will be the primary fill-in at short. If Seager is ready for a defensive role, then Smith will go back to sharing third base with Ezequiel Duran. Smith is batting .292/.393/.417 over 84 plate appearances, much better than his previous two MLB seasons.

Seager started at designated hitter and went 0-for-3 with a walk in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Mariners.

Seager, who was removed from Wednesday's game with a bruised shin, was available a day later for DH duties. It's unclear if he'll be limited to DH for a stretch. If so, Josh Smith will fill in at shortstop.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 4-3 loss Seattle.

Lowe reached down for a slider low in the zone to blast his first home run of the season. The first baseman has played in all five games since being activated off the injured list last Saturday.

The Astros are optioning France to Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of their trip to Mexico City on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

France is being optioned to clear a spot for Framber Valdez, who will start Sunday. In France's last outing Tuesday, he took the loss while allowing five runs on five hits and four walks over five innings against the Cubs. The 29-year-old has now given up multiple home runs in consecutive starts. The move prompts questions about how the Astros rotation lines up going forward.

Brennan went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Red Sox.

Brennan opened the scoring with a solo shot off Chase Anderson in the second inning, his third homer of the year. Brennan's started to swing the bat well recently -- he's now 6-for-13 with five extra-base hits (including two homers) in his last four games. The left-hitting outfielder has gotten the majority of starts in right field this season with Ramon Laureano occupying the short side of the platoon. Brennan is now slashing .250/.310/.453 through 71 plate appearances with 11 runs scored, 10 RBI and two stolen bases.